The harsh snow-topped mountains were subtly softened by distance while gold honey highlights competed with cold shadowy crevices for glory. In that moment the thrumming blades of the helicopter had no meaning. The desperate screams of her companions were incoherent and muddled, the vision in front of her all that she could comprehend.

But the lighting wasn’t quite the way she wanted. A few more inches and she would have it. She leaned slightly forward while adjusting her lens, leaving her forgotten seat belt to flap in the sudden gust.

As the shutter fell her victory was complete. She turned to share it with her companions, a triumphant grin spreading her lips. But as her concentration faded the screams of “Put on your seat belt!” and “Are you trying to die?!” had her stepping back in alarm. Her boots scrambled for purchase on the slick surface of the helicopter drawing her inexorably towards the view that had once captured her attention so completely and now simply terrified her.